Former Feyenoord star ignites Liverpool transfer link after Arne Slot 'father figure' comment

Arne Slot is reportedly looking to bring in at least one new face to bolster his Liverpool squad in the January transfer window.

The Dutch coach has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Anfield with the Reds currently top of the Premier League table by five points.

However, due to a packed schedule in the second half of the campaign, Slot is rumoured to be looking at midfield reinforcements after missing out on Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi in August.

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Slot openly admitted Liverpool failed to convince Zubimendi over a switch to Merseyside and the 46-year-old will not be reviving his interest in the Basque playmaker.

A fresh name to emerge on the list of potential options is Benfica schemer Orkun Kokcu with the the Turkish international winning the 2022/23 Eredivisie title as part of Slot's midfield at Feyenoord.

Kokcu switch to Benfica ahead of the 2023/24 campaign left a hole in Slot's engine room and the 23-year-old believes his former boss has defined his career to date.

"Arne Slot is like a father. He made me who I am. He's the best coach in the world", as per quotes from TRT Spor.

"When he took over at Feyenoord, I had a big breakthrough in his first season. We reached the Conference League final that year, but unfortunately we lost.

"I actually wanted to transfer in the summer, some big clubs in the top six in England were interested in me. 

"We had serious talks about a transfer, but it didn't happen at the last minute. The following season, Slot made me captain, and that responsibility increased my performance level even more."

Orkun Kokcu stats, contract, transfer value

Kokcu has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool - with Jurgen Klopp sending scouts to watch him at Feyenoord - prior to joining Benfica.

As part of his contract until 2028 in Lisbon, Kokcu is rumoured to have a £125m ($157m) release clause, but reports from the Liverpool Echo indicate a deal could be struck for closer to £67m ($85m).

After scoring 23 league goals in 119 appearances inside five seasons at Feyenoord, Kokcu scored seven league goals in his debut campaign at Benfica, with two so far in 2024/25.

However, it is his versatility in midfield which Liverpool fans will be most excited by, with Slot deploying him across multiple positions which could suit his hybrid structure at Anfield.